Ms. Kobos reported that MAS officers met for several hours
the evening before the Regents' meeting. Regent Fritz gave them a report on SAF and the new funding options it
creates for student financial aid.

Ms. Kobos also indicated the Supreme Court handed down its
decision to permit use of student fee dollarsx to support political groups on campus.

Student Officers are working on the Vote Smart project to
get students out and voting.

Students are also opposed to the limitations placed on the
university system by Policy 220, and support the proposed change to this
policy.

On
the issue of same sex health benefits, Ms. Kobos indicated that student
government on each of the campuses would like more information.

MAS
members are working to ensure all students are counted in Census 2000. They are approaching this issue as they did
urging students to vote.

MAS
has interviewed the applicants for the next Student Regent, and have averaged
the scores of each interviewer, reducing the field to three candidates. Those in the final group are Christian Herr,
Jessica Kobos, and Jared Harris and this information will be forwarded to
Governor Racicot and the Regents.

Jessica Kobos: President of
ASUM-Missoula

The
Associated Students of The University of Montana passed a Resolution in Support
of Same-Sex Partner Health Insurance. In support of this, she provided a letter from Casey Charles with a
petition containing 656 signatures.

Additionally,
they passed resolutions on the following:

Resolution
to Raise The University of Montana Orientation Fee

Resolution
to Raise the Student Health Service Fee

Resolution
to Support ADSUM's Crusade for Access Funding.

Shad Huston: President of
ASMSU-Billings

Mr. Huston reported they have had campus elections and the
new President is Paul Lindstrom, and Vice President is Lee Eustace.

He also indicated the fitness center should be completed by
April 29, 2000.

Chris Helgeson: President,
MSU-Great Falls
College of Technology

Mr. Helgeson indicated agreement in bringing upper level
classes to the Great Falls campus from MSU-Northern.

He also indicated they are working on a coffee bar for the
campus and a spring picnic. Student
elections have not been held yet.

Brian Kelley: President –
MSU-Northern

Mr. Kelley
expressed appreciation to the Board of Regents for holding the meeting on the
Northern campus.

He
directed attention to the new building signs on campus which were sponsored by
the Student Senate.

March 31
is the Campus Preview Day for prospective students. Students will hold Frisbee Golf for the occasion, with all the
hardware being created on campus.

Students
will elect new officers on April 20.

On April
27, they will be holding Campus Improvement Day, awarding free T-shirts and
water (and sometimes food,) for cleaning the campus buildings and grounds.

In trying
to get their radio station operational, they are falling back on Plan B and
will be obtaining a new FCC License to eliminate friction and conflict.

Mr. Kelley
also indicated that their wrestling team has won its third consecutive national
championship and the coach is the first in history to win three consecutive
coach of the year awards.

IEEE is
working in coordination with North Dakota on a tracking system to further the
knowledge of their engineering
students. They are working with Stanford University and twenty other campuses.

The Native
American small business development center has received a $20,000 grant for
cooperative development with agriculture, to reach a global economy status.

Students
also had a discussion on Policy 220, and decided with a majority vote, that it
should be changed as proposed.

Jared Harris – President,
ASMSU-Bozeman

Mr.
Harris reported that the library is undergoing the planned remodel, and the
students have been fully involved. Beside the $7.5 million for this work, they have received a grant for
work on the reference desk, and the students have also been involved in this.

He
indicates they have begun a pilot program called CatCab. They are working with All Valley Cab.
Students who have been drinking only need
show the driver their student ID, and pay $1.00 and they will be taken
home. It cannot be used for bar
hopping. If the pilot is successful,
they will make it a permanent program.

Student
elections will be held on Wednesday, March 29.

The
Voice Center on campus is experiencing funding problems. Vice President for Student Affairs, Allen Yarnell provided a solution that will
impact very few students, with no increase in fees, however, they continue to
hope for grants.

After
conducting cultural research on campus, they were alarmed to find that
minorities feel threatened on their campus. This is an issue they will address vigorously.
Regent Thompson recommended they contact the Montana Community
Foundation which has grants strictly dedicated to this issue. She will provide Mr. Harris with the name
and phone number of the person to contact.

Students
and the administration have been working together closely on the renovations of
the Student Union Building. Mr. Harris
indicates that this level of communication is something of which they should be
very proud.

Grant
Williams: President AS-Montana Tech,
Butte

Mr.
Williams indicated that the students have been discussing the issue of fees all
year. They support the course fees as
they are, and would support a program fee. They strongly support the computer and equipment fees.
Being consistently ranked among the top
schools, they need the latest technology to maintain that ranking. Having the equipment available on campus
saves the students enormous amounts of money.

Students
are concerned about the changes in courses, specifically Math 151, and the need
to bring graduating high school seniors up to speed.

In
a survey of students, 237 of 300 respondents were willing to pay a fee to
improve the weight room and facility, and 177 were willing to pay a $10.00 fee
to improve the Rec Fields.

Mr. Williams indicated the students are
concerned about the possibility of moving faculty salaries to 90% of their
peers.

Shelby Moody: President
AS-FVCC

Ms. Moody indicated
that the Student Senate worked with the campus athletes to prevent the
elimination of the athletic program. After approaching the Board of Trustees, they put the issue to a vote of
students. Of 232 voting, 196 were in
favor of an activity fee increase, and 36 were against. This was the highest voter turnout ever on
their campus. The proposal made to the Board was for $5,000 in general funds and
matching any fundraising athletes could do up to $10,000. The Board amended it and agreed to give up
to $25,000 based on the budget turned in by the Athletic Department.

Trish
Lewis: Business Manager AS-Helena College of Technology

Ms.
Lewis indicated that student elections will be held on April 12.

The biggest issue before the
students at this time is a proposal for the student government fee to go up
$4.00 from $10.00 to help student government become more active. Student Senate conducted a survey with 85%
of the respondents voting yes to paying $14.00 a year. Due to costs associated with involvement in
MAS, they have not been able to award any student scholarships this year. Normally they award two $250.00
scholarships. These funds would also be
used to improve the student center, adding a copy machine and sofas as well as
funding more activities, and clubs.

Kim
Dolan: Vice President, Western
Montana College

Ms.
Dolan reported that they are preparing for their accreditation visit, and
Montana Youth Challenge is in its second session. They also continue to work at establishing a campus radio station,
and their application has gone to the FCC. There have been no student elections yet, but she hopes to be the
student president by the next Regents' meeting.

Additionally, Student Senate
passed a Resolution opposing a proposal by faculty to change the grading system
from a straight letter grade to include plus/minus grades. They also passed a Resolution opposing Peer
Evaluations.

Regent Thompson requested resolution of a
housekeeping item, prior to dealing with the agenda items.

There was a lack of sufficient information on Item c. of the Submission AgendaITEM 106-2008-R0300 - Authorization to Offer a Bachelor of Arts in
Music; Montana State University-Bozeman.Provost Dooley provided additional information in the Committee
meeting, indicating that all of the courses associated with the proposed degree
are already part of the Bachelor of Music Education Degree, requiring no
changes in courses taught, nor would additional resources either be needed or
liberated.

c. ITEM106-1501-R0300
- Approval to Change the Name of the Department of and the Bachelor of Science
Degree in Metallurgical Engineering to Metallurgical and Materials Engineering;
Montana Tech of The University of Montana

d. ITEM106-1502-R0300
- Approval of Proposal to Reorganize and Rename the Present Options in the
Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and Change the Name of the Department
to Mathematical Sciences; Montana Tech of The University of Montana

e. ITEM106-1601-R0300
- Approval of Proposal to Name P.E. Complex Arena, Casey Keltz Arena; Western
Montana College of The University of Montana

g. ITEM
106-2704-R0300 - Approval of Proposal to Offer an Associate of Applied
Science Degree in Diesel Technology; Montana State University-Billings, College
of Technology

h. ITEM
106-2705-R0300 - Approval of Proposal to Offer an Associate of Applied
Science Degree in Computer Systems Technology; Montana State
University-Billings, College of Technology (Budget was provided at meeting)

i. ITEM
106-2706-R0300 - Approval of Proposal to Implement the Associate of
Applied Science Degree in Automobile Collision Repair and Refinishing
Technology; Montana State University-Billings, College of Technology

j. ITEM
106-2707-R0300 - Authorization to Offer a Minor of Business Geographics Business Geographic Information Systems (GIS); Montana State University-Billings
(With Title Change)

Regent Thompson MOVED for APPROVAL to MOVE Items a. - j. to the Action Agenda for the May, 2000 meeting.

Motion APPROVED
unanimously.

II.
SUBMISSION AGENDA

a. ITEM106-1001-R0300
- Approval of Proposal to Establish a Center for
Environmental Health Sciences; The University of Montana-Missoula

b. ITEM
106-2007-R0300 - Authorization to Offer a Master of Fine Arts in
Science and Natural History Filmmaking; Montana State University-Bozeman

c. ITEM
106-2008-R0300 - Authorization to Offer a Bachelor of Arts in Music;
Montana State University-Bozeman

d. ITEM
106-2009-R0300 - Authorization to Restructure the Biology Department in
the College of Letters and Sciences; Montana State University-Bozeman

The
following individuals addressed the Board of Regents in opposition to changing Policy
220.

President Matthew Quinn, Carroll College

President Fred Gilliard,
University of Great Falls

Commissioner
Crofts addressed the process pursued to reach a resolution of this issue with
the private colleges. He noted the
importance of collaboration between public and private institutions, while
keeping the focus on the needs of students and what is best for them rather
than what is best for institutions.

The Board
of Regents adjourned at 4:00 p.m. to meet with Faculty representatives.

The following item was
heard before the meeting with Faculty representatives.

d.
Status Report on American Indian and Minority
Achievement in the Montana University
System - enrollments, degree completions and use of Indian Fee Waivers. - Ellen Swaney, Director of American Indian and Minority Achievement

Ms. Swaney reported on the statistics for American
Indian/Minority Student and Staff achievement within the Montana University
System. She continues to collect
data. Regent Wetsit requested that the
data presented be analyzed for the Board.

Laurie
Neils reported on the final document prepared by the Task Force on Student
Fees. Between 1988 and 1998 course fees
increased from $400,000 to $1.8 million dollars to cover expenditures, while
state funding rose only 10% during that time.

Some
changes in fee structure include elimination of instructional materials fees
and incidental fees, and adding appropriate laboratory fees. Tuition will be increased to cover the loss
of funding from incorporated fees, and a biennial internal audit of course fees
will be conducted and forwarded to the Commissioner. The Task Force recommended implementation of the policy in 2002
and Commissioner Crofts recommended delaying the first full audit for at least
one year, and preferably two. The
Campuses will be required to bring recommendations forward for replacement of
lost course fees by the November 2000 meeting.

Following extensive discussion, Regent Thompson MOVED for APPROVAL of the Recommendations of the Task Force on
Student Fees

The MOTION PASSED unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Steve
Galbavy, President Stone Child College and Carol Falcon Chandler, President Fort Belknap College

addressed the Board of Regents on
funding of legislatively approved financial assistance for tribal college
students.

Commissioner
Crofts explained there is no difference of opinion between the Commissioner's
Office and the Tribal Colleges. He
sought their support in getting a statutory appropriation to cover these funds
so they would be made available every biennium.

The following individuals
addressed the Board of Regents expressing opposition to the Program Review
for Montana State University-Northern.

Cameron Worstell, Faculty Member MSU-N

Spike Magelssen, Student MSU-N

David Christiansen, Student MSU-N - read a
letter from students

Ryan Kelley, President AS MSU-N

An
objection was raised to the item having been moved from the Submission Agenda
to the Action Agenda the day before, with approval as an Action Item. Regent Jasmin requested that Chancellor Rao
meet with campus representatives and give his recommendations to the Board of
Regents. Chancellor Rao indicated he
will come back with specific recommendations on how to address specific
concerns, some of which might be new
programs. It is a difficult process,
especially when the population and enrollment decline. Students were encouraged to write letters to
the Board of Regents at any time (with a copy to their Chancellor). The Board is always open to input from the
campuses.

The following individuals
addressed the Board of Regents regarding implementation of Dental Education
programs.

Mary McCue – Director of MDA,
(replacing David Hemion)

Rep. Bill Thomas, Dist. 93

Dean Will Weaver, Great Falls College of
Technology

At this
point, the Commissioner's Report, Items b. and c. were addressed.

There is
a dental assistant program at the College of Technology in Great Falls, with 12
to 15 students. Some of the courses in
this program could be used for a hygienist program, however the initial capital
outlay for that program would be $350,000 to $400,000 and the operating funds
would be significantly higher. Staffing
needs are greater in the hygienist program than in the assistant program. The Dental Association indicated it might be
able to provide $250,000 toward the effort. It would be cost prohibitive for the University System to operate its
own programs, leaving the only viable option of partnering with established programs,
including out of state. In an effort to
identify possible options, the Commissioner's Office will work with other
organizations, Rep. Thomas, and Mary McCue.

The Board
recessed for a short break.

Jason
Thielman reported on the Montana Family
Education Savings Plan

The
Savings Program has far exceeded all expectations in popularity and
growth. It grew three times faster than
estimated with a total of 637 accounts from out of state, from a total of 1752
overall. Total deposits are over
$11,000,000, which is a 100% increase over last year. There is a possibility that the accounts will become tax free
rather than tax-deferred. The Board
generates income from all penalties collected.

Mark
O'Keefe gave a presentation to the Board
of Regents, followed by an extensive question and answer period.

a. ITEM106-102-R0300
- Authorization to Allow Montana State University and the University of Montana
to Enter into a Montana University System (MUS) Affiliation Agreement with the
University of North Dakota, HealthOne Hospital (Denver) and Sacred Heart
Medical Center (Spokane) to Provide the Professional Clinical Laboratory
Training; MUS

d. ITEM
106-1501-R0100 - Approval of
Proposal to Convert implement the Certificate of Combination
Welding to an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Metals Fabrication
Technology; College of Technology, Montana Tech of The University of Montana (with
Title Change)

Regent Thompson MOVED for APPROVAL of Item d.

Motion APPROVED Unanimously

e.
ITEM
106-1901-R0100 - Approval of
Proposal to Convert the Certificate in Practical Nursing to an Associate of
Applied Science Degree in Practical Nursing; Helena College of Technology of
The University of Montana

Item
a. was an informational item which included the Law School of the University of
Montana-Missoula

b. Evaluation of Teaching in the
University System - documentation from campuses

A report
on the issue of student evaluation of teaching indicated that a variety of
evaluation tools are used from one school to the next. The requirements for evaluation are part of
the Bargaining Agreements. Confidentiality of the students is common to all.
It was reported that these evaluations are
used from the department level to the top in the evaluation of faculty for
merit, tenure and promotion. Students
complain that they are advised by faculty that they can fill the forms out, but
that they mean nothing. Deputy
Commissioner Joyce Scott, the Academic Officers and MAS will draft a policy of
the expectations of the Board of Regents for Faculty Evaluations for the May,
2000 meeting.

After thorough
discussion, it was agreed that the fees for the MT-Tech, Butte and MSU-Bozeman
campuses will be looked at again at the May, 2000 meeting in light of the
upcoming student vote on these fees.

Regent
Jasmin MOVED for APPROVAL of Item a.

Motion APPROVED unanimously.

Judy Martz gave a presentation to the Board of Regents, followed by an extensive
question and answer period.

The
Board resumed work on the Action Agenda at 1:55 p.m.

b. ITEM
106-1001-R0100 - Planning for
Construction of School of Journalism Building; The University of
Montana-Missoula

c. ITEM
106-1002-R0100 - Temporary Research Facilities, Science Complex; The
University of Montana-Missoula

Item
d. Removed from Agenda (Action Deferred at the request of
President Dennison)

e. ITEM
106-2003-R0300 - Authority to Hire an Architectural Firm to Provide
Professional Services for Program Development and Design for a Renovation
and/or Addition to the Strand Union Building (SUB); Montana State University-Bozeman

Regent
Jasmin MOVED for APPROVAL of Commissioner Crofts'
recommendation.

Motion APPROVED unanimously.

This item is the first pass at
budget priorities. The numbers presented are not firm and will be adjusted
before the final version is presented to the Board of Regents, and again before
being presented to the Legislature. It
is anticipated that at the May, 2000 meeting, reports from each campus will
explain how they intend to spend their share of the $500 first year increase,
and the $1000 increase in the second year. Campuses will have freedom and flexibility to address their needs.

Final figures indicate that
projections were only 1/10 of a percentage point off. This means that the campuses will have to revert a modest amount
of money to the general fund.

However, the community colleges
did not fare as well with the conversion to the funding model used by the
University System. They are 200 FTE
below funded budgets. With the current numbers, FVCC will have $131,000
reverted, Dawson CC $142,000, and Miles CC will have a $225,000 reversion. This is a tremendous
burden for those small schools.

Regent Roehm excused himself from the meeting
as the hour was late. A Quorum
remained.

CONTINUATION
OF BOARD'S WORK SESSION

Continued discussion of
recommended salary for the new President of Montana State University.

CAMPUS
REPORTS

President Dennison
indicated their accreditation visits were scheduled for a week from Monday.

Chancellor Hulbert
had no report.

Chancellor Gilmore had no report.

President Roark apologized for his absence from
the community leaders breakfast. He was
unaware it was also a meeting. He indicated his time at MSU-Bozeman has been a
very exciting opportunity for him and he has had a wonderful time. He and his wife have been very welcomed by
everyone, and he stated he has an excellent group of administrator colleagues,
chancellors and deans.

Chancellor Sexton
had no report.

Chancellor Rao
had no report.

Dean Capdeville
had no report.

Dean Weaver had no report.

With no
further business to come before the Board the meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.